Talbot holds no grudge over manner of his Spireites exit and won’t close the door on a return

Drew Talbot believes crossed wires at the Proact led to the public confirmation of his exit before he had been personally informed – but he doesn’t hold a grudge.

The defender, who returned to Chesterfield for a second spell in January, was one of three club stalwarts not to be offered a new deal.

Centre-halfs Ian Evatt and Sam Hird were also revealed to be moving on to pastures new in a statement posted on the Spireites’ official website on Thursday.

Talbot was not notified before the news broke but he had an inkling that his time at the Proact might have been coming to an end.

“I had spoken to someone within the club during the week before and sometimes you get a sense, don’t you, of something not being quite right,” he said.

“It was a little bit (of a surprise), I thought I’d done alright since I came back.

“Obviously I wanted to stay at the club and I’d have happily played int hat division for that club.

“But it wasn’t to be and that’s jusy the way it works, we all know how football works and we’ll all move on.”

The 31-year-old, who has made 291 appearances in Chesterfield colours, believes there was no disrespect meant.

“I think there’s probably crossed wires in the club, I don’t think there was any malice or disrespect meant, probably just crossed wires that it got released before they actually spoke to me,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s a hidden agenda, I don’t think the club would treat anyone, especially the three of us, with that kind of disrespect.

“It’s just a mistake, probably a regrettable one but I don’t hold grudges, I’m not that type of person.

“I was just glad I found out, it’s nice sometimes to just know if it’s good news or bad news, not knowing is the worst thing.”

He also harbours no bitterness towards the club for deciding, on the advice of the incoming new manager, to let himself, Hird and Evatt go.

“I think there’s a lot going off at the club at the minute, I think if the club wants to have a clean slate and start afresh that’s good for them.

“I’m not a bitter person, I don’t hold anything against anybody. It’s very disappointing I didn’t get offered anything but that’s football and I fully respect their decision to start afresh.

“When I look at it I think that’s probably what the club needs, to start again because sadly the last few years have not gone great.”

Regardless of the manner of his exit, the second time he’s found himself leaving the club against his wishes, Talbot would never rule out another reunion.

The bond he and his family have built with the club and the people in and around it is too strong for them to shut that particular door.

“People say don’t go back, but me coming back after being there previously, I’ve done alright since I came back.

“I would never say never.

“It’s a club that I love and a club my family support now, I’ve got a great affection for them.

“Football is a funny business, there’s so many ups and downs for everyone involved.

“I was explaining to my kids that I wasn’t going back and they were devastated because they’ve become Chesterfield fans.

“For a club like Chesterfield I would never say never.”

As for the immediate future, Talbot feels fit and ready for a new chapter in his career.

Now isn’t his time to hang up the boots.

“I’ve not really played a lot over the last couple of seasons for one reason or another, but I think I played the last 15 games of the season, I was getting quite comfortable and felt a lot stronger for it.

“The fitness side of things is not an issue.

“I’m getting older and the recovery times change and become a little bit more difficult but I did everything I could in games and if someone wants to take a stab then I’ll be ready to listen.

“There’s been conversations about how long I want to go on. Sometimes you get a little bit disillusioned with football. Being away from home wasn’t great for me.

“I feel fit and fresh. I’ve just come back from a six-mile run this morning, I feel like I need to keep myself going and not slack off, especially feeling so fit and after the hard work to get to this stage.

“I’ll probably train all the way through the summer this year.”

The lot of an out-of-contract footballer can be a difficult one, fraught with worry over what the future may or may not hold.

Even an experienced operator like Talbot is not immune to the stress and strain of that period between one contract ending and another being found.

“Everything is up in the air for a lot of clubs, the season isn’t even fully finished with the play-offs.

“A lot of people go away, decide what they want and what they don’t want, what budgets they have.

“It’s not a nice time, you’re sitting around waiting by the phone for calls that sometimes don’t come.

“It’s going to be a nervy six weeks or whatever it may be before pre-season starts, but I’m optimistic, we’ll just wait and see what happens.

“I still love playing football so that’s my priority at the minute.”

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